Ask Afrobella – For Men

So I got a rare (possibly the first and only) question from a male reader recently. That made me happy, realizing that Afrobella is being read and enjoyed by men and women alike. I’ll try to be more inclusive from now on. Guys, feel free to ask me whatever hair or skin care questions you’ve got and I will try my best to answer. Whether it’s by doing research or asking an expert, I will try to find a solution.

Thaddeus responded to my Island Remede post about the magical powers of aloe vera with the following question: Would this work for men with extremely oily skin? Hit me back with an email. As a matter of fact, any skin care for men (with oily skin and constant breakouts)?

Thaddeus, you are definitely not alone with skin care issues. Just ask Diddy.

He used Proactiv for seven years! Just goes to show you that no matter how rich or famous you are, it’s always smart to preserve your sexy and moisturize your situation.

Putting your dirty hands on your face and squeezing a zit without properly cleaning your face or hands will most likely lead to more breakouts. Ideally, to prevent breakouts and reduce oil, you need to keep your face as clean as possible, and use some kind of oil-control serum or lotion. Most dudes balk at the serum part and slack on the cleansing,
too. This site is great for skin care advice for the acne-prone.

My husband went through many breakout issues well into his twenties, but finally, at 26 he’s got it under control. Possibly some of the change is hormonal, but I also like to think it’s because of my surreptitious skin care assistance. You see, for some reason my man doesn’t take good care of his skin. He seems to see skin care as prissy. Then he wants to get mad and maul his face when he breaks out. He doesn’t even acknowledge the vicious cycle of his regimen.

I used to try to talk him into using a clay mask to remove impurities. He refused, muttering “masks are for girls.” So, I noticed that he would always try my bath products when he was taking a shower, and I bought a special product that made the world of difference. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask to the rescue!

I love this stuff! It made a truly noticeable difference to the texture of his skin, and it seems my nagging might almost have had a positive effect. He now makes a real effort to at least pop his pimples the right way. (And please read that link all the way through before you start busting out needles and candles. That’s only for the most dire of circumstances in my opinion.)

If you have really serious acne, a dermatologist could give you a perscription for Accutane. However – call me crazy – I would steer clear of a skin-care medicine that could potentially cause rectal bleeding. Nobody needs that.

To control oily skin during the day, take my two cents of advice and try an oil-control serum. I just purchased Iman’s Under Cover Agent, which she raved over when I interviewed her. Iman actually went so far as to say that’s her favorite product in the line. I’ll do a review sometime soon and let you know how it works for me. And nobody will think you’re wearing foundation or makeup, it goes on clear and keeps your skin matte.

If your oil situation is embarrassing during the day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using blotting linens. I know quite a few guys who do. I did a post on them (click here) comparing some of my faves. For guys, I would recommend the Boscia or the Clean & Clear, so as to avoid looking powdery. Also, these Biore Shine Control Sheets seem to work well and don’t use mineral oil as an ingredient like the Clean & Clear.

I thank you so much for your knowledge, time, and blog. I will be adding your blog to my bookmarks. At first, I was a bit scared to leave a comment beacuse I felt that your site was, for lack of a better term, “Sista-Centric”. I felt that my presence would not be welcomed.

Boy was I wrong, not only was I welcomed but you answered my question which lead me to consult a dermatologist that specializes in ethnic skin. You are a true blessing and so is your blog.

So glad to have you here Thaddeus! I’ve found the information on this site to be really good for both genders and most races. A coworker of mines who is caucasion (excuse spl) aked me some info on hair products for her niece (who is adopted and of mixed ethnicity)and I referred her to info I found on this site (jesse’s curly pudding). She was praising me for days.

Hey Thaddeus! My goal is yes, to be “sistacentric,” but also inclusive. I don’t care what color or gender you are, everyone is welcome and encouraged to read and comment! I sincerely hope my advice works for you; please keep me posted. I’m on day 2 of a glycolic cream regimen, and I’ll let you know if that worked for me. Thanks for reading and especially for writing!

Trackbacks

[…] These days, I’m using Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser. I had heard so much about Murad and was dying to try their stuff, but at $60, I wasn’t sure about that complex kit. My friend Lauren had been using it with success for a while, but when it stopped working for her she passed it along to me. Great success! I love it so far. The cleanser has a very refreshing menthol tingle, and the Acne Spot Treatment dries up my pimples overnight. But my husband remains indifferent. […]